CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR BEFORE AND AFTER NURSING-HOME ADMISSION

The Psychogeriatric Dependency Rating Scale (PGDRS) behaviour subscale was completed for 431 residents of eight nursing homes at three times points: the weeks preceding nursing home admission, 2 weeks and 2 mon ths after nursing home admission. The mean PGDRS behaviour subscale sc ore significantly decreased from before admission to 2 weeks after adm ission but returned to preadmission levels at 2 months after admission (p < 0.01). There were significant temporary decreases after admissio n in the prevalence of interfering behaviour, difficulty understanding , self-destructive behaviour, persecutory ideas and hallucinations. A decrease in behaviour problems after admission was associated with adm ission because of disruptive behaviour, possible Alzheimer's disease a nd expecting to live permanently in the nursing home. An increase in b ehaviour problems was associated with admission because of disruptive behaviour, dementia with stroke, delirium, being uneasy with other res idents, unoccupied by activities, incontinence and physical dependence .